System for storing and dispensing oil



May 20, 1930. w. J. PETER SYSTEM FOR STORING AND DISPENSING OIL 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 31, 1929 INV ENTOW MML A; ATTORNEYS May 20, 193.0.

w. J. PETER SYSTEM FOR STORING AND DISPENSING OIL Filed Jan. 31, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY LMKM ALATTQRNEYS May 20, 1930.

w. J. PETER SYSTEM FOR STORING AND. DISPENSING OIL s Sheets-Sheet a Filed Jan. 31, 1929 UM? fiw.mfhuwm @QATTORN EYS Patented Ma 20, 1930 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM J. PETER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB, BY DIRECT MESNE ASSIGN- MEN TS, TO AQUA. SYSTEMS IN CORPOBATED, OF NEW YORK, N.-Y., A. CORPORATION 01' NEW YORK SYSTEM FOR STORING AND DISPENSING OIL Application filed January 31, 1929. Serial No. 336,400.

This invention relates to oil storage and delivery systems and particularly to such systems adapted for use on flying fields in fueling airplanes, or in other locations where the fueling outlets must be submerged below therefore highly desirable to submerge the fueling outlets encasing them so that when not in use their covers shall be flush with the ground, and it is broadly the object of the present invention to provide an oil storage and delivery system for flying fields having such submerged fuelin outlets.

In doing this I provi e a plurality of metal boxes or casings sunk into the ground at convenient locations on the field, usually near the hangars, the tops of the boxes lyin substantially flush with the ground. Eac box is divided by a vertical partition into two compartments, one for the delivery hose and one for the meter and valves, and each compartment isprovided with a flat cover. In order to protect the box and its contents from rain I provide a gutter having spaced drainage outlets. The covers have depending flanges which extend into this gutter so that when the covers are in place no water can run into the box. The boxes when closed are level with the field and hence present no obstruction to taxiing airplanes.

Gasoline is distributed to the various outlets from a centrally located tank by any suitable pressure means, either. a pump or hydraulic means. In my oopending application, Serial No. 140,006, filed October 7 1926, I have disclosed means for automatically relieving the distributing line of pressure when no fuel is being dispensed. As disclosed in that ap lication, when the operator opens the key v ve in the meter casing, the tank is automaticallyplacedmiderpressuremndwhen he replaces his hose upon its hook, the key valve is automatically closed and the pressure on the tank simultaneously cut ofi. In the system of the present invention the hose is not supported upon a hook but is coiled in the compartment of the box provided for that purpose. I have therefore, so placed my key valve that when the box cover is closed the key valve is necessarily closed and the pressure control valve automatically closed at the same time, provided no other hose is in use. As the box cover when open presents a distinctly visible and dangerous obstruction on the level field (it can be swun only through 90) there is practically no c langer that the operator will go awa leaving it open. Thus at the conclusion 0 each filling operation pressure on the tank is surely reieved an cannot be again applied until one of the box covers is dpened.

Other improvements form part of the present invention and will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention. In this embodiment I have illustrated a hydraulic system, that is, a system in which the operating pressure is obtained by forcing water into the fuel tank and there- I by forcing the oil out. The present invention is, however, equally applicable to pump-operated systems. In these drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic layout of an oil storage and delivery system constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing a plurality of outlet boxes; Figure 2 is a vertical, longitudinal section through one of the fueling outlet boxes taken along line 2-2 of Figure 3; Figure 3 is a plan view of the box illustrated in Figure 2 with the cover removed; Figure 4 is a transverse section through the box taken along line 4--4t of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a detail view, pa ly in section, of t e key valve.

Referrin first to Figure 1, 1 representsthe storage tan of the system which, as illustrated, is sunk well below. the level of the ground, 2 the oil inlet pipe, 3Lthe oil discharge ipe and 4 the waterdelivery pipe. The by raulic pressure under which the system operates may be obtained from any suitable'source, but, in the embodiment illustrated here, I have contemplated the use of pressure of the city mains, water fromthese mams flowing to the tank throughapipe controlledby a valve 6. The tank is conencted to the sewer by a waste pipe 8 through which water is forced when the tank is being filled with oil. The

- water pipe 5 and the sewer pipe 8 are selectively placed in communication with pipe 4,

and hence with the tank by means of a manually controlled two-way valve 9. This main water valve is usually mampulated 1n the morning and night or when the tank isto be filled with oil through pipe 2 and its water discharged to the sewer. During normal 0 1 .eration of the system in dispensing oil t e 7 11 from whic oil is dispensed. In the opbeing open' to permit flow through eration of a hydraulic system, such as here illustrated, valve 9 bemg set to permit com: munication between pipes 4 and 5, the valve 6 pipe 5, water flows into the tank forcing the ighter and immiscible oil out throu h the pipe 3 and to the dispensing point. uch a system is old, has already been patented by me and of itself forms no art of the present invention. I shall now escribe the outlet box and its contents, with particular reference to the other figures of the drawings.

This sheet metal box 11 is sunk in the earth,

1 as illustrated, with its top substantially flush with the surface of the ground. It is anchored in place by means of a concrete beam 12 cast around angle irons 13 secured to the vertical side walls of the box. Extending around the upper edges of the box, is a gutter 1 4 formed of Z-bars 15. The horizontal webs of these bars constitute the bottom of tervals with draining holes 16 which lead water falling into the gutter into the cinders or other loose material which immediately surround the box. A concrete coping 17 is built around the utter and is provided with a downwardl s oping outer face, as illustrated. The ox is provided with a vertical partition 18 dividing it into two compartments of unequal size. This partition carries at its upper edge a transverse U-beam 19, which communicates at its ends with the gutter 14 and forms a part thereof. The box is also provided with a pair of hinged covers 21 each provided with dependin flanges 22 which extend within the gutter w en the cover is closed. The covers are opened and closed links 24. Thus, it 15 impossible to open the covers through 1809 and leave them flat .on theground. I The box just described lies, when its covers are closed, flush with the surface ofthe ground and forms no obstruction whatever to the assage of the vehicles over it. An water allin on the covers drains into the utter andt ence into the earth adjacent the ox. It is thus practically impossible for water to enter the box when the covers are closed. I shall the box. 7

Theoil pipe 3 communicates with each box through a branch pipe 26 which enters the small compartment of the box near the bottom of one of its side walls. Within the box now describe the contents of.

the oil passes through a manuall controlled I valve 27, thence upward throug 1 a strainer 28, and throu h the key valve 29, whence it passes through a meter'30 tilted back at an angle of 45 so as'to be visible from above and to one side of the box and from theproyided with the usual nozzle control valve 34. Beyond the valve 27 the pipe 26 terminates inan air chamber 35 which serves as a cushion to absorb the momentum of the oil when the valve 34 is closed. The upper longitudinal edges of the larger compartment of the box 11 are provided with rollers 36 which facilitate the removal of the hose and minimize wear which might otherwise be occasioned by dragging the hose over the sharp edges of the box,

The key valve 28, which is illustrated in detail in Figure 5, comprises a spring-pressed plunger 37 provided with a washer 38 seated, when the valve is closed, upon the valve seat 39. Lying within a slot 41 inan extension of cooperate with a detent 47 integral with the valve housing. To open the valve the handle 45 is depressed and turned clockwise, thus swinging the cam arm and thereby forcing the valve back against its spring. To hold the valve in open position the finger 46 is swung down behind the detent 47 thus latching t e handle in place. To closethe key valve, it is only necessary tostrike the handle 45 downward, thus freeing the finger 46,

whereupon the-spring assisted by the flow of the oil itself instantly closes the valve.

Mounted on the inner side of the box, ad

jacent the key valve is a water-tight switch 49 preferabl of the mercury momentary contact type. Iieferring again to Figure 1; the water valve 6 is operated by means of a solenoid 50, or its equivalent, such as a motor, in series with a source of electrical energy 51. Thus, when the switch 49 is closed the sole noid circuit is closed, the solenoid is energized and the valve 6 isopened permitting water to flow through the pipe 5 to the tank. When the switch 49 is open the circuit is broken, the solenoid is de-energized and the valve is closed, thus cutting ofi the pressure from the tank and stopping the flow of oil through the pipe 3. The valve 49 is operated by means of swinging arm 52 pivoted.

to a lihk 53 which, in turn, is pivoted to an arm 54 secured to the key valve stem 43. This linkwork is so arranged that when the handle 45 of the key valve-is swung clockwise to open that valve the switch 49 is closed, thus energizing the solenoid circuit and opening the valve 6, and when the handle 45 is swung counterclockwise closing the key valve, the switch 49 is therebyopened, the solenoid deenergized and the valve 6 closed.

The system operates as follows: Assuming,

the tank 1 filled or partly filled with gasoline and the valve 9 opened to permit communication between the tank and the pipe 5, an airplane taxies up to one of the outlet boxes to be fueled. The operator opens the cover to the hose compartment and uncoils the hose.

- He then opens the cover of the valve; compartment, both covers when open standing at substantially to the ground, seizes the handle 45, swings it clockwise far enough for the finger 46 to clear the-detent 47 and open the key valve 29, whereupon he swings the handle upward to latch the finger 46 behind the detent. This movement not only opens the key valve but through the linkwork 52, .53 and 54 closes the switch 49, which in turn energizes the solenoid 50 and opens the water control valve 6. The tank is thus placed under ressure and in order to deliver oil, it is-o y necessary for the operator to open the nozzle control valve 34. When the particular fuelingj'ob at hand isfinished, the

operator, of course, releases the nozzle con: trol valve 34 which shuts ofi the flow of oil,

but the hose and its associated connections are still under full tank pressure. Under no circumstances should the operator be permitted to coil' the hose within its compartment'while under pressure as any leak would result in loss of gasollne and involve a serious fire risk. The operator must, therefore, close the key valve 29 and at the same.

this, nothing further would be required but operators cannot be so relied upon. The oporator, however, is not very likely to go away .tors manipulations. Thus the water control valve 6 is open only when one or more of the discharge outlets is in use and pressure on the tank automatically shut ofli when not needed.

'In pump operated systems the operation is the same. There the pump is controlled by the circuit including the switch 49.

I claim:

1. In an oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, a delivery outlet receiving oil from the tank, a source of pressure designed to be connected with and disconnected from the tank, a box, a cover on the box, and means within the boxfor connecting'the source of pressure with the tank operable only when the cover is open and automatically operated to disconnect the source of pressure from the tank when the cover on the box is closed.

2. In an oil storage'and delivery system, the combination of a tank, a delivery outlet receiving oil from the tank, a source of pressure designed to be connected with and disconnected from the tank, a box, a cover on the box, and a handle within the box for con-- necting the source of pressure with the tank operable only when the cover is open and when so operated extending beyond the plane of the cover when closed, the closing of the cover striking the handle and disconnecting the source of ressure from the tank.

4. In a hy raulic oil storage delivery system, the combination of a tank, a delivery outlet receiving oil from the tank, a source of hydraulic pressure designed to be connected with and dlsconnected from the tank, a box, a cover on the box, and manually controlled means within the box for connecting the source of pressure with the tank operable only when the cover is open, and automatically operated to disconnect the source of pressure from the tank when the cover is closed.

5. In ahydraulicoil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, a delivery ee of the detent 47 whereupon the outlet receiving oil from the tank, a pipe for conducting water under pressure to e tank,

a valve in the water pipe, a box, a cover on the box, and manually controlled means within the box for opening the valve operable only when the cover is open and automatically 0 rated to close thevalve when the cover is c osed.

6. In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, a delivery outlet receiving oil from the tank, a pipe for conducting water under-pressure to the tank, a valve in the water pipe, a box, a cover on the'box, manually controlled means within the box for openin the valve operable when the cover is opene a latch for holding the manually controlled means in valve opening position and means, for automatically freeing the latch to close the valve when the matically operated to close both valves when the cover is closed.

8. In an oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, an oil delivery pipe, a valve in the oil delivery pipe, a delivery outlet connected with the oil delivery pipe, a source of ressure designed to be connected with and connected from the tank,

a box, a cover on the box and means within the box for automatically closing the valve in the oil delivery pipe and disconnecting the source of pressure from the tank when-the cover is closed. v I

9; In a hydraulic oil storage and delivery system, the combination of a tank, a pipe for conducting water under pressure to the tank,

r a valve in the water ipe, a pipjefor deliveroilfrom the ta the combination of a tank, an oil delivery in a submerged box the cover of which w on closed lies substantiallyv aiplura ty of, branch pi es leading fromthe oil delivery pipe, a v ve in each branch ipe, a delivery outlet connected with each ranch pipe, abox in which each delivery outlet terminates, a cover tank.

when closed to connect the source of pressure with the tank, a latch for holding the handle in this position, a spring urging the handle handlefor operating the valve, a hose com municating with the oil delivery pipe, a submerged outlet box forthe hose and the oil valves, the cover of which box lies substantially flush with the surface of the ground when closed, a source of pressure designed to be connected withand disconnected from the tank, a. switch controlling the source of pressure, connections between the valve handle-and the switch whereby when the handle is moved to open the oil valve the switch is closed and the source of pressure connected with the tank in open positlon, the handle'th'en projectin above the plane of the 'over when close and a spring urging thevalve into closed position, the position of the parts being such that when the cover when closing strikes the handle and trips the latch, whereupon the spring closes the valve, 0 ens the switch and disconnects the source 0 pressure from the 12. In an oil storage and delivery system, the combination of la tank, an oil delivery pipe, a plurality of branch. pipes leading from the oil delivery pipe, avalve in each branch pipe, a delivery outlet connected to each branch pipe, a source of pressure designed to be connected with and disconnected from the tank, a box in which each delivery outlet terminates and which houses the valve a latch for holding the handle controlling that outlet, a cover on each box, and means within the box for automatically closing the valve in the oil delivery ipe and disconnectin the source of premure rom the tank when t e cover is closed, provided no other outlet is in use. a

In testimony whereof I afiix my si ature.

WILLIAM J. PE R.

on each box and means for automatically Y closing the valve in .the branch ipe to a 'ven outlet when the cover of that outlet x is closed and also the valve in the water pipe provided no other outlet is' in use.

10. In anoil storage and delivery system,

pipe terminatin flush with the surface of the ground,-a source .of ressure desi an disconnec from the tank, a handle ed to be connected with within the box operable when the cover is open to be moved above the plane of the ,cover 

